There is no question that Australian radio astronomers are in urgent need of a telescope which can provide high angular resolution for both line and continuum projects. Planning for the Australian Synthesis Telescope (AST) began in 1975 (see Wellington 1976; Manchester 1977), and with the guidance of the AST Steering Committee and the Design Study Committee the instrument, although it may be overshadowed in some respects by the US Very Large Array (VLA), now has enough unique features to whet the scientific appetites of all Australian astronomers. The planning has reached a critical phase — a proposal, costed at $A17.3 million (in 1980), was submitted to the Minister for Science and technology in February 1981 for funding in the August 1981 budget.